Marine Wildlife

Wild Barnacle Goose Welfare

Barnacle geese winter in large numbers on UK saltmarshes and grasslands. Their welfare depends on access to undisturbed feeding habitat.

Key Facts

UK wintering barnacle geese come from Svalbard and Greenland populations
They feed on grasses, mosses, and saltmarsh plants
Svalbard barnacle geese have increased dramatically since hunting protection
Conflict with agricultural grass management is a conservation challenge
Disturbance causes energy-costly flushing of large flocks

Welfare Considerations

Barnacle geese repeatedly disturbed from feeding areas incur energy costs that must be replaced. Large flocks building body condition for spring migration need undisturbed access to high-quality grassland. Managing agricultural conflicts through scaring and legal crop protection in ways that minimise welfare impact supports both geese and farmers.

What You Can Do

Support Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust barnacle goose conservation
Report large barnacle goose flocks through WeBS wetland bird surveys
Engage with goose management conflicts through evidence-based dialogue